Hot Corner: Barons star should still be here

Mark Almond/Birmingham NewsDavid Cook could be preparing for an All-Star appearance for the Barons, but he's sitting around as a Charlotte Knight instead.

Outfielder David Cook of the Barons was having an all-star type season. He led the Southern League with 59 RBIs, was second in the league with 17 home runs and his slugging percentage of .520 placed him fourth in the league.

Cook had been named to play in the league's all-star game at his home park (Regions) and participate in the home run contest at storied Rickwood Field.

So why would the White Sox farm system promote Cook from Double-A to Triple-A Charlotte to play a few games before Triple-A takes an all-star break, too?

It makes no sense whatsoever.

How many All-Star games does a player get to participate in during his profesional career? And how many times does he get to perform in a home run hitting contest before the hometown fans?

But Cook will get a three-day vacation.

And what's the point of getting him a few at-bats at Triple-A for a Charlotte team that is 8½ games behind in its division?

Certainly Cook deserved the promotion. But why now? Cook went 1-for-4 in his Charlotte debut on Thursday night. He should have been back in Birmingham getting ready for the all-star game.

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